How to share DNA, for science, but keep some semblance of privacy

The notion of a genetic testing company selling one’s DNA code the way an online retailer sells email addresses feels decidedly creepy. But what if your doctor asks you to share your genetic information to advance the cause of treatments and cures?

“We need to organize our health care system so that we’re learning from every patient,” said Richard Payne, a Duke University professor and the John B. Francis Chair in Bioethics at the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City. “I think the patient has an obligation to participate.”

He’s right about that. Expecting to shield your own DNA while making use of other people’s information seems like freeloading. But sharing has risks, and patients should expect the health care system to protect their privacy.